A strong performance management (PM) system will not only increase the effectiveness and satisfaction of your employees, but will also improve your organization's ability to fulfill its mission. At its core, performance management is about three things:

• Clarifying personal objectives and aligning them with organizational objectives
• Providing regular feedback on these personal objectives and development goals
• Learning from past performance in order to continuously improve

We do not believe that a standard off-the-shelf performance management system can meet the unique needs of your nonprofit organization. Our approach involves working with you to assess your needs and develop a tailored system that takes advantage of our expertise and dedicated resources. We also believe that providing a new PM system is not enough: we will work closely with you to craft appropriate internal employee communications, and to lead training sessions with managers and staff to ensure that your new PM system will be implemented successfully.

The impact of each project varies but many clients report these results:

• Higher employee productivity
• Improved employee morale and higher retention rates
• Renewed focus on results towards your organization’s mission
• Fewer lawsuits resulting from inappropriate dismissals or management

Our Performance Management Service Grant is most likely to be successful under certain circumstances. We recommend you apply if your organization has met the following requirements:

• A strategic plan and an annual operating plan that reflects current thinking and practice
• Accurate job descriptions for all or most employees
• An Executive Director strongly committed to this project
• At least 15 employees
• A compensation system flexible enough to enable it to support, or at least not undermine, your performance management system
• Managers who have received at least some managerial training
• Staff that can invest the necessary time to make the project succeed:
  • Executive Director: 20-25 hours total
  • Human Resources person: 3-5 hours each week
  • Managers (up to 10): 20-25 hours each
  • All employees: 5-10 hours each

Your Taproot Foundation team will be staffed by human resources experts who have made a personal commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. Visit our volunteer roles page for additional information about HR volunteer roles.

If this project appeals to your organization and you have the recommended items in place, please review our grant process and criteria, and then apply. If you have questions about the grant or your eligibility, please contact us.